Mosque

Question 1

Mosque

Answer 1

• A mosque is a building set aside for worship.
• The arabic word is ‘masjid’, which means ‘place of prostration’.
• The earliest mosque was in Madinah and was built around the family home of the prophet Muhammed. The first muslims gathhered there for prayer.
• The threee most sacred mosques in the world are in Mecca, Madinah, and Jerusalem. However, a muslim can pray anywhere.

Question 2

Prayer rooms

Answer 2

In Muslim countries there are often special rooms marked off for prayer. These could be in offices, schools, or airports. There will be an arrow to indicate Qibla.
- So long as the area is clean, it can be used for prayer.

Question 3

Mosques in Wales

Answer 3

• There are about 40 mosques in wales, nearly half of these being in Cardiff.
• Most of these are buildings that have been converted from other uses.
• Also centres for the muslim community (Ummah)
• Some mosques may have a madrasah ( a religious school to learn the Qur’an), a library, a bookshop, a canteen, a creche, meeting rooms.

Question 4

Mosques - importance

Answer 4

• There are sacred buildings to help muslims sense th epresence of God.
• They help Muslims concentrate when worshipping.
• They help muslims to feel part of the Ummah. They can join with others to share and strengthen their faith.
• It’s where the imam can be found for help and guidance or to learn from him in the religious teaching goven in the khutbah (sermon).